WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 121 NO. 31 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: SCF Marko wins wrestling title. PAGE 12
Polk County rescinds proposed trail plans BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
After a closed session discussion Feb. 19, the Polk County Board rescinded master plans for the Stower Seven Lakes and Cattail state trails. Submitted to the Department of Natural Resources in October 2018, the Stower’s plan would have expanded use to allow motorized vehicles year round. The addition of use by ATVs and UTVs was unexpected at the time, as a trail-planning subcommittee had recommended expanding use only to snowmobiles and horses. After some back and forth with the DNR and confusion over whether the Stower would open to snowmobiles this winter, the DNR put an end to motorized use, at least temporarily, with a Feb. SEE TRAIL, PAGE 2
Kwik Trip, Osceola Auto Body offer accepted Development expected to bring jobs BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
The county board Feb. 19 accepted a $355,000 offer from Kwik Trip and Osceola Auto Body to buy tax-forfeited land in the Village of Osceola. Scott Tiegen, vice president of Kwik Trip stores, and Dan
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Scott Tiegen, vice president of Kwik Trip stores, and Dan Tronrud, owner of Osceola Auto Body, explained the details Feb. 19 of their proposed purchase of 78 acres of land in the Village of Osceola.
Tronrud, owner of Osceola Auto Body, offered details to county board members at the Feb. 19 meeting. “This is kind of an interesting story,” Tiegen said. “When we opened our Kwik Trip store in Amery — and this happens quite often — the neighboring town says, ‘What about us?’ We got a lot of calls and emails from people in the Osceola area SEE KWIK TRIP, PAGE 21
Osceola featured on regional television show BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
From Cascade Falls and the St. Croix River to Trollhaugen’s aerial courses, the Osceola area stars an upcoming episode of the weekly television program Discover Wisconsin. Titled “Just Off Main Street,” the episode features the Wisconsin communities of Osceola, Florence, Whitewater and Omro. Reaching an audience of some 600,000 viewers in the Upper Midwest, Osceola’s inclusion on the list is expected to draw visitors to the area. As the episode opens, show host Mariah Haberman walks Cascade Street.
“A community’s main street is the beating heart of its town,” she says. “It’s the city center, it’s full of history and it’s a gathering spot for residents and visitors alike.” The crew visits Cascade Falls, explores the river by kayak, tries Trollhaugen’s ropes course and talks to locals and visitors about the village’s most unique features. With additional shots of the farmers market, trails, the railway and monarchs on blazing star flowers, the episode paints a charming picture of the “cool little river town.” Filmed last August, the footage is now edited and ready to air. The
DISCOVER WISCONSIN
The Discover Wisconsin crew films Andrew Carlson of Riverwood Canoe and Kayak on the shores of the St. Croix River.
SEE SHOW, PAGE 8
Lacking volunteers, Osceola soccer in jeopardy BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Unless a handful of community members step up to help lead Osceola’s youth soccer program, the offering may fade away. Paul Dodge, leader of the local American Youth Soccer Organization, reported that nearly 100 families have expressed interest in their children joining the program this year. However, he needs five to 10 more volunteers to
fill coaching and referee positions, and others to sit on the organization’s board. “There has been organized soccer in Osceola for more than 30 years,” Dodge said. “I’ve had the opportunity to organize the local program for four years. I’d be pleased to help continue the tradition of soccer in Osceola but I can’t do it without help.” After telling parents at a Feb. 18 meeting that the program could be at risk of ending he reported that a few
expressed interest in helping out. “This isn’t just a problem in Osceola,” he said. “It’s throughout the area. Some communities have discontinued soccer because they couldn’t find the volunteers.” While Dodge waits for more people to come forward, he is taking names of interested enrollees. However, he’s not promising a program this spring. SEE SOCCER, PAGE 2
SUBMITTED
Participants in Osceola’s youth soccer program, which typically runs from late April through mid June. The program will not happen this year without increased volunteer commitment.
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